As you might guess I'm pretty much new to racquet customization. Just how do you apply lead tape to the head of the racquet? Do you simply glue it on? Does it come with its own glue? Do you fix it with a duct tape? Does it show a lot or does it stay hidden? Does it come off during play because of all those vibrations? ...

Anyone has experience customizing Babolat Pure Drive? How much lead can be put on the head before you make it HH? Also, would it matter so much that it would change the feel of the racquet too much?

I almost killed my shoulder by adding too much lead to my Pure Drive Plus. If you want to add lead, just add 2 strips at 12 o'clock. You don't need more lead than that because even though the racquet won't be too heavy, the stiffness of the PD combined with the added weight of the lead can hurt you badly.

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If I get you in a rear choke, you'll either tap out or pass out.

I almost killed my shoulder by adding too much lead to my Pure Drive Plus. If you want to add lead, just add 2 strips at 12 o'clock. You don't need more lead than that because even though the racquet won't be too heavy, the stiffness of the PD combined with the added weight of the lead can hurt you badly.

I'm only demoing the PD. I like it a lot except for the weight. It seems too light for me. I thought I could solve this by applying some added weight to it.

Lead tape has its own glue on it, you just have to put some were you think you might need some and go and try it out, and then add some more, maybe remove som, maybe change the o'clock position its all about trying

where do you buy your magnetic tape? this seems like a great idea, but has the tape ever fallen off?

thanks

You can find them at your local home center (Home Depot, Lowe's, etc.). I've used it as a substitute before.

I don't think the magnetic material used in the magnetic stripping tape is denser than lead at all. It may be true that a 1" x 1/4" piece of the magnetic tape is heavier than a 1" X 1/4" piece of standard lead tape, but the magnetic tape is not heavier because it's denser, it's heavier because it's thicker.

Also, the tape did fly off of my frame once before. After I applied some superglue the problem was solved.

Lastly, here's a cosmetic tip: Since the magnetic tape is typically brown or dark grey in color, that may not look too appealing on your frame. To avid players, usually the silver lead tape looks more acceptable since that's a more familiar look. To solve the problem, you can tape aluminum tape over the magetic tape. You can find aluminum tape at the home centers as well. Now some may ask, "Why bother with the magnetic tape when you can just use the aluminum tape?" Well to answer that question; aluminum tape is too thin therefore it would be a pain to add multiple layers of it in order to attain the same mass as standard lead tape.

Man, you guys are asking questions about the magnet tape like it's a major investment, and you want to make damn sure before you spend all that money on the magnet tape.

It costs $1 for 36 inches, guys. That's a yard. Go experiment with it yourselves - that's much more useful than me answering questions, anyway.

That said... Has the magnet tape ever come off my racquets? No. Not even close. I have had lead tape unstick itself a few times, though. But, hey - it's not like there is only one 'brand' of magnet tape - I'm sure that some magnet tape has better adhesive than others - just like lead tape.

Yes, the magnet tape is thicker than lead tape. but it would take 2 or 3 layers of lead tape to equal the weight of the same size strip of magnet tape - so everything's pretty equal there. Except the price, of course.

As for aesthetics - for those of you to whom the lead tape 'look' is important - well, I don't want to deal with such phony superficiality. The magnet tape is dark, and blends in to any dark racquet - to the point that the casual observer won't notice it. I suppose there will always be those who think that the 'look' of the silver lead tape is 'cool', and that other people will be impressed that you're 'good enough' to customize your racquets with weight. Hopefully, such persons are under the age of 14 years. For my part, I'm dealing solely with the issue of adding weight to a racquet, and have offered a less expensive alternative to lead tape. If adding weight is your primary concern, you should give it a try.

Thanks for all your replies, guys. I don't think I can find the magnetic tape over here tho. In any case, if I could, I'd give it a try. I don't give up easily and it does sound like a good option. Anyway, I'm not considering additional weight on my racquet for "pro look" but for a better feel and control. For this reason I'm grateful for all your help over this matter.

Thanks for all your replies, guys. I don't think I can find the magnetic tape over here tho. In any case, if I could, I'd give it a try. I don't give up easily and it does sound like a good option. Anyway, I'm not considering additional weight on my racquet for "pro look" but for a better feel and control. For this reason I'm grateful for all your help over this matter.

The simplest solution is to place an order for lead tape with TW and be patient enough to wait out those few days it takes to arrive at your doorsteps. If there's a pro shop in your area that carries lead tape then take that route.

Thanks, TennisAsAlways, but I can find the lead tape in a local shop - I was refering to magnetic tape which Deuce suggested. I can't find that one locally. Anyway, I just bought some lead tape in my local pro shop today. Now comes the best part - experimenting...

Thanks, TennisAsAlways, but I can find the lead tape in a local shop - I was refering to magnetic tape which Deuce suggested. I can't find that one locally. Anyway, I just bought some lead tape in my local pro shop today. Now comes the best part - experimenting...

Yes, experimenting is the fun part.

Sometimes you end up being crazier as a result from it though, trying to figure out whether or not you really did improve performance in any way!